Follow the Movements of Tagged Basking Sharks Online
OutdoorHub Reporters 07.23.12
Scientists at the Scottish Natural Heritage and the University of Exeter have fitted eight basking sharks with satellite tags and are inviting the public to track their movements online in close-to-real time. The project hopes to tag a total of 20 basking sharks found in waters around Coll, Tiree, and Hyskeir, Scotland.
The institutions hope to solve some mysteries of basking shark behavior such as:
- How long do basking sharks remain feeding in certain hot spot areas in Scottish waters?
- How are the sharks using these areas which are important to them for feeding and potentially breeding?
- Where do basking sharks go after their summer feeding in Scotland’s seas?
- Do the sharks remain in deeper waters off Scotland over winter?
The tags will detach from the sharks after several months. The basking sharks often visit Scotland in summer, only to swim to deeper water in winter. This research will examine that behavior more closely.
In addition to viewing the marine animals, the project organizers have asked the public to help name the sharks. View the website with all the necessary information here. Additionally, if you find a tag that has become detached and washed ashore, please use the above link to notify moderators.
